The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-11
ZtBEHR PACHA.
The Conqueror ana CiviIiser OF the
Doadan.

been set free after more than two
wears confinement here, has been of
curious and striking interest. Cen
orally spoken OF in England as a
Iloodthirsty and rapacious slave
dealer, the enemy OF Gordon and of
all good works, accused by the Off
sials who are responsible for English
action in Egypt OF ceaseless political
intrigue, he entirely rebuts both
charges and claims for himself with
quiet bat assured sell respect the
position of re'ormer, civilizer and
gentleman. His story, as he tells 1t,
is worth summing up.
=. He comes OF the race OF the ABB
bassdes, that royal house which
furnished the Caliphs OF the West to
Spain and modified European bar
bsrism by the introduction OF the re-
&nement aud science OF the East.
His family settled about 1000 years
ago at Grimnaysh, in the neighbor-
hood of Khartoum, aud Iebehr was
born and brought up on his father
estates. When he was young man
the craze for adventure in the un-
known regions of the White Nile was
strong among the youth oil Khartoum.
Through the action of cousin who
de6ed the more sober wishes Of the
family Zebehr was drawn entirely
against his own intention into joining
Me guard Of an ivory merchant going
down TO Bahr Ghazal. He went
without preparation. He had no
arms, nor money, nor outfit, nor even
dc good will oil the merchant with
whom he went down. His own de-
scription is that he went poor as a
slave, swinging his hands. He was
dependent fer food on the kindness
Of his cousin, who gave him portion
OF his not too plentiful rations. Be-
cause he CHANGED to have with him a
copy of the Koran, which he took
pleasure 10 reading, he was jeered at
for a missionary aud mockinely in
yited to convert the natives. When,
after several months, he at last de-
manded arms, he was given broken
and rust eaten gun and two cart
ridges. 10 his first battle with hos
tile natives he had the good fortune
10 lodge a bullet from one Of his
cartridges in the brain OF the native
chief, and to turn. by that shot, the
course of an encounter which was
going dangerously for the traders.
He thus won the gratitude Of the
ivory merchant. and from il the op-
portunity 10 exercise his commercial
talent.
II was the custom Of the Khar-
toum traders at that time TO look
upon the natives a. creatures closely
allied to the lions, leopards and
elephants they came TO hunt, and 10
aeaL them with scarcely more con-
rderation. Zebehr attributes his
commercial success 10 a complete re-
versal of this policy. He took n more
humane view Of the inhabitants OF
the districts. He watched their
custom, learned their languages,
studied their wants. and respected
their laws. Above all, while cautious,
in his own defense he abstained
from any kind OF aggression. The
result was that he obtained on
amicable trading terms Of mutual
advantage, more ivory, feathers and
other marketable goods than had
ever before been obtained in 80 short
a time. He was put at nc head OF
what might be called the travelling
branch Of his chiefs business, and
before long received an offer OF part
nership. He refused 10 become a
partner, but after remaining for six
months alone in charge Of the
station accepted 4 sum Of Money
in reward for his services, and re-
turpe1 with KNOWLEDGE and capital
TO Khartoum. He laid ont his CAM.
tsl in such European goods as study
Of the natives had taught him N be
most valuable 10 them aud went down
a second time 20 the south. Adveu
lures rs thrilling rs any invented by
Cooper OF De Foe succeeded one
another, and following always his
policy OF liberal and peaceful deal
ings with the natives, he found him
self after some time in the position
Of honored adviser at tho court nj
one Of the native kings. The name
Of this king was Tikima. Though
cannibals his people were not black.
They were white, with oval faces and
long and silky hair. The chief,
among them were extremely proud
Of their birth, nor did they indulge
in the practice oi eating human fest
which was universal With the people
Canuibalism prevailed in the coun
try 10 such an extent that scarcely
any but human flesh was eaten. Mer
and women were killed and sold IL
the market by weight aud human
fat was commonly used for culinary
purposes. They were, like most o
the natives Of the Nyam. Nyam ter
ritory, extremely low IN the scale o
civilization ia all respects Thei'
main occupation was fighting. an'
the rule Of war was that all booty
such as beads aud cloths. went 10 N,
King, and all prisoners 10 the people
Iebohr formed here the FIRST OF thos
saw hImlCd WnlFU alN'lNhlN W
came 50 famous. Ilc pointed out q
the King that in the turbulent con
dition in which he lived he ha'
great need Of an army more REGULAR
organized than the undiscipline
levics he was in the habit Of raising
that IL wasa pitilul thing 10 see On
aud serviceablc Young men dali
slaughtered for Getting in the markel
and that IL would be far better
'aler a successiul raid upon q
enemy's territory he were TO give u
TO the people a certain proportion :
booty and keep for himself a.
young aud active amopg the prison
ers, who, instead 81 being slaugt
tered, might be trained a. soldier
To fx a definite amount oi ransol
for each young prisoner was N
next stop. The neighbo ring trib,
came soon 10 offer their prisoners O
the same terms. Caunibalism r,
eeiyed a check. Slavery took I
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